Berlin. Anyone who needs a doctor abroad must expect high costs. Finanztip reveals when foreign health insurance won’t pay.
An illness can ruin your vacation. If you have to go to the doctor abroad, it can quickly become very expensive without insurance. © picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Jens Kalaene
Food poisoning or a broken foot can really ruin your vacation and, in the worst case, blow your vacation budget. International health insurance should therefore be in every travel bag: It covers medical costs, hospital stays and, if necessary, Return transport home. The financial guide Finanztip explains how holidaymakers should proceed in order to get their money back from the insurance company.
Sick abroad: Medical costs must be paid in advance
When travelers seek medical care abroad, they usually have to cover the costs themselves. Bills usually have to be paid immediately after treatment. Private International health insurance will refund the money afterwards.
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Finanztip therefore recommends that you always ask for a detailed invoice and a payment receipt. This applies to visits to Doctorsdentists, physiotherapists and during hospital stays. Insured persons can also request a proof of payment in pharmacies.
The invoice should be written in German or English and contain all important information: name of the insured person, date of birth, treating doctor, exact diagnosis, services provided and days of treatment in the hospital. Only such invoices will be accepted by the Insurance accepted.
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After Treatment Insured persons should submit the invoices to their international health insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance company may also require proof of the travel period, such as the flight ticket or hotel booking. The documents can then be submitted by email, via an app or via the online customer portal. The costs are then reimbursed to the insured person’s account. This can take a few days depending on the insurance company and the case.
Inpatient treatment abroad: Call your insurance company immediately
In the case of inpatient treatment, insured persons usually do not have to pay in advance. According to Finanztip, hospital treatments in the Abroad can quickly cost several thousand or tens of thousands of euros. In such cases, the insurance company can agree a cost coverage guarantee with the hospital. This means that the hospital bills the insurance company directly without the insured person having to advance the money.
Insured persons should therefore call their insurance company immediately as soon as they are admitted to hospital. Friends or family can take over if the person concerned is no longer able to do so themselves. Every insurance company has a Emergency numberwhich can be found on the website or on the insurance certificate.
If necessary, the private international health insurance will also organize a return transport to Germany. Insured persons should definitely consult with the insurance company. The insurance company will then clarify with the local doctors when and how a Transport to Germany takes place.
Statutory insurance: Health insurance only reimburses costs to a limited extent
Statutory insured persons can also present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if they need treatment abroad. This is valid in the EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Switzerland. The EHIC is on the back of the electronic health card.
International health insurance pays out if, for example, an injury during a hiking holiday ends up in hospital. © Getty Images | FluxFactory
The statutory health insurance company will then cover all services that a person with statutory insurance would be entitled to locally. Possible deductibles or Co-payments However, those with statutory insurance have to pay out of their own pocket.
Finanztip warns that the statutory health insurance neither for return transport nor for treatment by private doctors or in private clinics. However, private doctors often have their own practices in holiday areas. Public hospitals, on the other hand, are often difficult to reach. So anyone who does not have international health insurance has to pay the costs for a Private doctor handle it yourself.
Privately insured: return transport usually not included
Privately insured people, on the other hand, can also claim bills from private doctors from their health insurance However, in most cases, return transport to Germany is not included here.
Important: The insurance should be taken out before the planned trip. The insurance for short Holiday travel can be taken out up until shortly before departure. Travelers should, however, take out travel health insurance for a longer stay abroad, from ten weeks to a year, a few weeks before departure.
This article appears in cooperation withfinanztip.deThe money guide for consumers is part of the non-profit Finanztip Foundation.
